What type of cable is commonly used for connecting devices to a network switch?

Ethernet cable is the most commonly used type of cable for connecting devices to a network switch. This type of cable is designed specifically for computer networking and allows for the transmission of data at high speeds. Ethernet cables come in various categories, such as Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a, which support different bandwidths and speeds. They typically use twisted pair wiring to reduce interference and maintain signal integrity over distances commonly encountered in networking scenarios.

In contrast, fiber optic cables, while also used for networking, are generally implemented for longer-distance connections or greater bandwidth requirements. Coaxial cables are more often associated with cable television and broadband internet rather than standard local area networking. Telephone cables, on the other hand, were historically used for analog telephone systems and have limited data transmission capabilities compared to Ethernet cables. Thus, Ethernet cables are the most suitable and widely adopted choice for connecting devices to network switches in typical networking environments.